Choosing a Uni

Got a Uni Offer…Now What?

You’ve waited for what felt like forever, but your university offer is finally here! But what on earth do you need to do next? Well, reading this is a good start…

by
Aimee Lee

First Published:

18 Jul 2016

After months of waiting and wondering, or trying your best to put the thought to the back of your mind whilst you finish up your exams, a shiny letter arrives on your doorstep. It says ‘Yes! It is you we have chosen! Come to our university, learn lots and join a hundred clubs and societies you’ll probably only go to twice’. Big sigh of relief and congratulations all round, gran is very proud and dad is already planning what to do with your bedroom.

Hang on though, now you’ve been given the offer what’s the next step? Well apart from feeling smug and very pleased with yourself of course…

Depending on the nature of the offer, there may well be a few requirements you have to fulfil before officially getting your university place.

If you’ve been given a conditional offer this means you’ve got to get a particular grade in whatever qualification you’re studying in. This means you've got a place reserved at the uni, but you need to keep working hard to get their specified grade!

However, don't be disheartened if you don't get the right grades on results day. If you've worked your socks off, and you can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the uni and its course, it's worth still talking to the admission teams to see if they can accept you.

Chances are you've probably already scoped out the university, its campus and the course itself in person. But now you've been given an official offer it may be worth having another look at the university to make sure you really want to attend.

Revisiting it with a more relaxed and less anxious view point means you’ll be more aware of the pros and cons you might have previously ignored when you initially applied. Don't be afraid to talk to your future lecturers and current students and ask them any burning questions you may have.

And check out our student reviews for an insight into how students feel about everything from the lecturers and job prospects to accommodation and city life.

If you're sure as sure can be that you’ve found your dream uni, then the next step is making sure you have your finances somewhat sorted.

We say 'somewhat' because there's only so much you can plan for, but making sure you have all your T's crossed and I's dotted when it comes to student finance is crucial. The sooner you contact them and fill out all the forms (there's a lot of forms that's the cold harsh truth), the sooner you can relax and worry about how to decorate your future room.

It may seem like a lot to worry about before you’ve even finished exams, but you'll thank yourself in the near future!

The university might want to interview you just to confirm that you're really sure on your decision. If this happens, don't worry too much about the outcome of it, and think of it as the perfect opportunity to ask relevant questions about your future course.

Try not to think of this as big deal as a lot of the time this is standard practice for a lot of universities. Just remember they're already keen enough to offer you a place, so this just serves as a confirmation for both parties.

Just because the university has offered you a place doesn't mean you have to accept it!

If you've applied for numerous places and this is simply the first one to get back to you, don't feel as though you owe anyone your undying allegiance. If you want to wait a little longer to find out if your first choice offers you a place, that’s fine. Or maybe this is your first choice and you're having second thoughts, that’s fine too!

Whatever the reason, it's perfectly fine to take stock and reassess, you can always change your mind if another uni offers you a place. Remember, the only person you have to be 100% loyal to is yourself and your best interests!